On diety

[phoenixrising]

The other day my Chaplain asked me "What do you get out of being Wiccan?" It took me a moment to figure out his question was more along the lines of how does it impact your life. I suppose that would be a great idea for another thread as well.. anyway. I answered comfort and understanding, it forces me to mind my conscience, teaches me new things about the world and makes me a better person. I think thats what he was looking for because his eyes lit up at that. Being a better person. I should hope that is the goal of all faiths. Then we discussed what I get out of Wicca that I can't with Christianity. That was a tough one, my gods and his god provide much the same of what I previously mentioned. I eventually told him... "I guess the boon for me is my gods have much more specific purpose. When I need help with love I call upon Aphrodite, when I tried to fix my marriage Hera, Protection Ares, and if I ever work up the courage again Eris for change. The Christian god is much more like a Jack of all trades to me, he can answer any request, but takes a little longer or the impact isn't as profound (IMO). Also if I find I am lacking a quality, say I am timid and unwilling to fight (as I was before I had a relationship with Ares) I could work with Ares or a similar diety and over time improve myself."

That last line is the reason for this thread. Does anyone else have thoughts along those lines? That you absorb in a way the qualities of the dieties you work with? Does it happen without invocation? How do you avoid the qualities you don't want? I know Ares is shunned by a lot of people, but I can't begin to explain how much better my life is because of him, I love that I am no longer timid but I don't want some of his other qualities...

[patch]

Since developing a relationship wih hermes, I've made an effort to be more confident and charismatic, and also articulate myself more through the written word (this one i'm still working on 8O).

As for poseidon, I've learnt to value strength and courage more. I'm pretty damn tempremental too xD but I always have been. We fit together well :)

[Fiamma]

Good thread, I'm gonna see about getting it moved over to gods & goddesses...and a little later, will probably have some comments of my own.

[RuneCast]

Coming into contact with divinity has its results. My experience teaches me that you do absorb new qualities, experiences, abilities, wisdom and another of a number of terms that might be valid here.
I've always felt that divinity reaches out to us half way and then waits for us to stretch forth our hands. In that case to reach forth, becomes a decision and the effects of connecting with divinity are the consequences of that choice.
Some claim that divinity appeared out of no where to them. So it does...
Generally I am inclined to feel that contact with divinity and the changes that can make are the path to our salvation, enlightenment, maturation, and on and on and on.
It can certainly be hazardous and not a little scary.
Such is even the most mundane life.

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

The other day my Chaplain asked me "What do you get out of being Wiccan?" It took me a moment to figure out his question was more along the lines of how does it impact your life. I suppose that would be a great idea for another thread as well.. anyway. I answered comfort and understanding, it forces me to mind my conscience, teaches me new things about the world and makes me a better person. I think thats what he was looking for because his eyes lit up at that. Being a better person. I should hope that is the goal of all faiths. Then we discussed what I get out of Wicca that I can't with Christianity. That was a tough one, my gods and his god provide much the same of what I previously mentioned. I eventually told him... "I guess the boon for me is my gods have much more specific purpose. When I need help with love I call upon Aphrodite, when I tried to fix my marriage Hera, Protection Ares, and if I ever work up the courage again Eris for change. The Christian god is much more like a Jack of all trades to me, he can answer any request, but takes a little longer or the impact isn't as profound (IMO). Also if I find I am lacking a quality, say I am timid and unwilling to fight (as I was before I had a relationship with Ares) I could work with Ares or a similar diety and over time improve myself."

That last line is the reason for this thread. Does anyone else have thoughts along those lines? That you absorb in a way the qualities of the dieties you work with? Does it happen without invocation? How do you avoid the qualities you don't want? I know Ares is shunned by a lot of people, but I can't begin to explain how much better my life is because of him, I love that I am no longer timid but I don't want some of his other qualities...

I rarely work with dieties that aren't my patrons or who don't come to me on thier own. I find that my patrons reflect my personality in many ways...or that i reflect them...regaurdless they are good complements ^^ Hel has recently come into my life, to help me deal with darkness and face what must be faced head on. She has helped me to become stronger when i've needed to be, to find strenght when i thought i had none even in the darkest of times.

[phoenixrising]

Along these lines anyone know a god/goddess of action.. like anti-procrastination?